Compositions and methods for treating cellular response to injury and other proliferating cell disorders regulated by hyaladherin and hyaluronans

Abstract

The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating a tissue disorder associated with a response-to-injury process or proliferating cells in a mammal. These tissue disorders are associated with a novel cellular phenotype designated as 'transition cells' which are described herein. This cellular phenotype is characterized in having an activated erk kinase signaling activity, a stimulated AP-1 binding activity, and at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of: (a) increased podosome formation, (b) increased flux of intracellular or extracellular hyaluronans or hyaladherins, (c) increased expression of a hyaladherin, (d) an inability to form focal adhesions, (e) increased metalloproteinase activity, and (f) increased expression of a hyaladherin. Example tissue disorders include fibrosis, inflammation, degeneration and invasive disorders such as occur in cancerous cells. The methods provided herein include administering to the mammal, an effective amount of a composition that alters the activity of transition molecules within a cell Transition molecules are shown to be comprised of hyaladherins, hyaluronans and associated molecules that regulate the transitional phenotype. A novel cell culture comprising transition cells is also provided, as well as compositions comprising particular peptides, polypeptides, and antibodies that affect the transitional phenotype.